Chapter 35
It came as no surprise when the large mayor meandered forward in front of the group of eight other men.
Among them was the scout they had seen earlier in the day.
She wasn't thrilled by how outnumbered they were but was confident her father and Adam were both better shots than the already tipsy posse of men.
It was ridiculous to think of what their life had become.
She felt like she was in an Old West film, waiting for a shootout with the bad guys.
She couldn't take her eyes off the group.
They were as untrustworthy as everyone else she had met.
Still, Sarah was curious to know if the mayor would admit what he had done or hide behind lies like a coward.
Either way, she was ready to deal with him.
The mayor's eyes moved slowly to the homestead and the men situated with weapons on the porch.
She knew he was taking stock of what they had.
It didn't matter. He wasn't gonna get his grubby, greasy, fat fingers on anything they owned unless he bartered for it. As much as she wanted to smack the smirk from the mayor’s face, Sarah knew they had to play nice for as long as possible.
Reminding herself that her parents had a rapport with the man and his men, Sarah smiled and slipped her hand away from the weapon on her hip.
If she could make the group feel less threatened, it would work in their favor.
There were still things the homesteaders needed to make it through the winter, things that would be considerably easier to get through trade rather than trying to scavenge for them.
Working as a team was the only way they would survive the disaster as a nation.
Surely, the mayor had to see the good in forming alliances over killing in cold blood.
In the new world, they had to work together if they were going to make it.
“How’s everything going in the city, Mr. Smith?” Sarah asked.
“Oh please, Sarah, call me Douglas. Mr. Smith was my father’s name. Overall, the city is doing fairly well. We’re just pulling resources for the greater good.”
“What are you trying to find?”
“Well, anything that will increase our chances of surviving,” Douglas said. “Would you mind if we took an inventory of what you have on the homestead?”
Sarah didn’t want them to know anything about what they had on the property, let alone a full inventory.
She knew she needed to keep him interested in trading since it could be useful to both of the parties involved.
As she looked at the man with a careful eye, she needed to know if they were just there to take what they wanted or if they were willing to work together.
“Listen, we’re more than willing to work with you and trade goods and services, but you’re not just going to come in here and take what you want.”
“This is just how it works. The community comes together, and I provide what everyone needs.”
“We have needs here, and we can take care of them on our own. I’m sure there are things we will need along the way, just like there will be things you will need. The best I can offer is to barter with you over the goods.”
“If the community can just come together and pool our resources, it makes it easier to protect them from the outside world. I’m sure you’ve seen what’s out there.”
“I have seen what’s out there, and we have no interest in being part of your plan. We’re quite happy out here on our own,” Sarah said.
She could see it wasn't the answer he had been looking for.
There was an anger in his eyes that Sarah had seen before in some of the convicts.
All of those men were still housed at the prison, convicted of terrible crimes.
In that moment, there was no question about what she had witnessed back at the village.
The mayor was a monster, barely veiled under the ruse of a kind-hearted politician.
She didn't like the way the group was now staring around, nor did she like how the mayor was eyeing her family's homestead.
Sarah was going to make sure he didn't get anything he didn't have coming to him.
“I know you have been away for a hot minute now, but I think your best bet let me talk to your old man. Why don't you go make us something nice and cool to drink?” he said.
Sarah glared at him. “I have a half dozen guns pointed at you and your men. I'm the one who speaks for my family. If you don't like that, I suggest you keep moving.”
“You sure do have a smart mouth, now, don't you? Maybe it's time someone put you in your place, sweetheart,” he said.
She didn't back down from the man, which was what Sarah presumed he had expected.
Men like him didn't frighten her. Sarah had to deal with them every day back at the prison.
They thought simply because they had the size, they were something to be afraid of.
The reality was that Sarah could bring the man to his knees within seconds if she so desired.
Taking a deep breath, she reminded herself that they were trying to make progress without violence.
“Listen, as I said, we’re willing to barter for anything you need. Just tell me what you’re looking for, and I’m sure we can come to some kind of terms.”
“I’m not looking to trade, honey. I want to know what in the hell you have in there so that we can work together for the better good.”
“I’m not letting you take an inventory, but if we have what you need, we can work it out,” Sarah said. “So, here’s what is going to happen. You’re going to offer us a trade, or you can keep it moving along. We have things to do.”
“Or we can just come in there and take a look around. I’m sure you won’t mind once you remember how things work around here.”
“Well, you can try to make a move on my family or this property, but if you were to do that, then you would be the first one we take out.”
Douglas sighed. “I don’t think you understand what you’re doing, Sarah. I have men who would take them down before anything else could happen.”
“I understand you have men who will do anything you tell them to do. Hell, they’ll probably be willing to die for you if you said the word,” Sarah seethed. “But I guarantee you that you’re not willing to put your own ass on the line in this situation.”
She watched as Douglas’s jaw clenched, and he looked around.
It was easy to see she had upset him, but he had no choice but to listen to every word she said.
She could tell that he was thinking about the possible outcomes, and when he spat at his feet, she could see he felt defeated.
Even if it was just temporary, it was still a win.
“Fine, I’ll send someone over to barter with you people.”
As the group of men brushed past her to raid the houses and farms farther down the road, Sarah let out the breath she had been holding.
She couldn't believe the confrontation was over.
She didn't need the feeling in her gut to tell her it wouldn’t end so smoothly the next time.
They hadn't heard the last of the mayor.
At some point or another, he was going to make a play for the farm, and she knew it.
Just like they had been that morning, they would be ready for him and his men.
The way he had looked her up and down stayed with her as she slowly retreated onto the property.
Sarah wasn't going to turn her back on the men, not even with Adam and her father pointing guns in their direction.
They needed to be prepared for whatever came next.
She could guess the mayor wasn't going to be happy when he saw the other homes had already been raided as well.
Their entire morning had been a waste of time.
Sarah wished she could see the look on the mayor's face when he went to the next few properties and found them void of anything he needed.
They had gone as far as cleaning out the liquor cabinets.
The alcohol could be used to soothe their nerves but also for cooking, preserving, and medical use in the future.
When the men disappeared down the neighboring driveway, Sarah finally turned back to the others and jogged up the porch steps.
Her father and Adam quickly put her at the top.